Wednesday, September 21, 2011

The Discipline of Delay!


Psalm 40:1 (KJV) 
1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
I recently had the fortunate experience of having to wait in a long line to check out at the store.  It was interesting to me because there were eight different lanes and a self checkout area, but only one lane was open.  I wanted to get out of line to go to a different line to check out.  A person about five spots ahead of me got out of line to go to the self check out, but the self check out area was closed.  So the individual had to come back to get in line.  He lost his spot and he would have to wait in line longer because he was impatient. 

Sometimes God makes us wait because he wants to show us we do not know what is best for us.  Sometimes we think there are better options than the path God has us on.  He also wants us to learn to trust him while we are waiting.  How many times has our impatience caused us to get out of line with God’s will only to run into an obstacle?  The frightening thing is God has a way of bringing us back to our point of exit so he can finish the process of developing our patience.

The psalmist David writes to share with us how he had to wait on God.  David was stuck in a pit for a long time.  Have you ever felt trapped in a situation and it seemed there was no way out?  So did David.  David shares with us, he kept on waiting.  Why is it so hard to wait?  I know society has set the pace for how fast things move around us, but we cannot allow society to influence us while we are waiting on God to deliver us.  David did something most of us do not do when we have to wait.  He prayed to God the whole time.  He persevered in prayer until God answered him. 

How long are you willing to pray while you are waiting on God?  Instead of trying to figure the situation out, ask God for the wisdom to handle the situation.  Many times God wants to give us wisdom in the midst of waiting, but we are moving too fast.   Waiting is designed for you to line up with the will of God for your life.    Have you lined up with the will of God in the midst of waiting?  If you have not, it might be the reason you are still waiting.

God bless and keep you is my prayer.

No comments: